Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Christian Rock Band

I just want to comment on the Christian Rock Band lawsuit.

If they are being discriminated against merely because they are Christian - of course that is wrong. However, it greatly saddens me to see Christian Rock Band. This is just another sign of our times - to think that in this day and age most Christians seem to think you must become like the world to win the world.

Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, Whitfield, Brainard, Wesley and many others would be shocked to think we have come this far from Biblical truth regarding separation from the world and holiness. Their preaching brought conviction so bad that many cried out for mercy. In this day and age all you have to say is, I believe in Jesus Christ and that He died for my sin - and somehow that makes you a Christian. Where is the call for repentance, turning from your own worldly ways, etc. When I became a Christian I loved worldly music and had chosen to follow the ways of the world as I didn't want God telling me I couldn't do what seemed right in my own eyes. But praise God, in the days when I finally surrendered my life to Christ there wasn't the mixture of the world and the church. If they had brought in all of the things that I loved while living for the world, I am sure I would not have seen my sin as God sees it.

Please, try to influence our Christian world with the fact that WE ARE TO REPENT OF OUR WORLDLY WAYS AND WHEN WE BECOME CHRISTIANS WE ARE TO TURN FROM THOSE THINGS WE ONCE LOVED AND FOLLOWED WHILE IN THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS. Jesus said: Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. In other words, He was that Kingdom and the RULER AND AUTHORITY TO WHICH ALL MUST BOW AND YIELD UP THEIR WILL AND RIGHTS TO HIM.

Amen,
Mrs. Darlene Bailey
Hemet, California

Monday, February 21, 2005

Your writing

John,

Nice try and I'm positive you believe your own words and thoughts so I won't waste mine trying to berate and denigrate. You are commended for taking the time to think. Your opinions sound so much like fact that I read your piece as a scientific treatise, not another loyal opposition in waiting wail.

I am of the theory that false science is bad science and that all science that follows false premises is tainted. In this case the proposition that this country, because of it's nascent religious fervor is somehow anything like 1920-1930's Germany. This is a country with no history of constant war with it's bordering states and is therefore, devoid of the paranoia and selfish motives you so fervently assign it. E Pluribus Unum.

If you can rationally equate Bush to Hitler then you must present his Mein Kampft. Scripture?

Courage in a cowardly world is always misinterpreted. Churchill (Winston not Ward), Lincoln, Kennedy, Truman and Roosevelt cast a large shadow over true evil.

Have at it sir and maybe you will get the missing piece of your puzzle somewhere along the blurred path you follow.

Yours in peace

Michael J. Natoli

Fascism with a Smile

Subject: State of the Union: Fascism with a Smile—Part III

Dear John:

I belong to the Rutherford Institute and think you do a great and necessary work. This article about America's decline into a police state is very obvious to those of us who are not asleep. Unfortunately most of America is too busy, as you say, on T. V., booze, and football to care or be aware. I am a lawyer and it is shameful the extent to which lawyers don't bother to concern themselves about such matters. The Constitution? What's that? It is very depressing. Thanks.

Christian S. Hinckley
Basin, Wyoming

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

President Bush's Wealth

Since you have decided that the “Peoples’ House” is too luxurious for a Christian man and president Bush’s income and family wealth are a disservice to the poor, please post on your website pictures of the hovel you have chosen to live in and your financial records to show us all how you are living on -$20,000 per year so all your money can be given to the poor. Oh, and how is your income being transferred to those who need it most? When I see such evidence of your monastic existence I will listen with more credence to your admonitions to our president who is doing more good than any other in at least 100 years.

Ernest M. Shipe
Lead Chaplain
Tuscaloosa VAMC

Criticism

Any one with a progressive point of view criticizing George W. Bush is immediately labeled a Bush hater by much of the so called objective press. What these purveyors of propaganda miss is, progressives hate not the man but the destructive actions put in motion by this flawed individual.

To wit: 1. Horrors unprecedented in recent history unleashed in an illegal war; these horrors include the deaths of over one thousand and four hundred (and counting) American service men and women. 2. The irreparable psychological damage to multiple thousands of these brave, unfortunate souls. 3. The callous disregard for the uncountable thousands of men, women, and children in Iraq and Afghanistan blown into oblivion in the name of democracy defined by the Bush administration. 4. The apparent disregard for the financial and physical health of our own citizens. 5. The chipping away of legal rights. 6. The arrogant unilateral approach of this administration in dealing with other nations (many of whom were recently considered allies).

This list can go on, but you get the gist. With so much blood covering the hands of these individuals leads one not to hate, but to pity the poor misguided souls. Who would want to carry this kind of baggage into old age and beyond?

Richard J. Abato

Commentary: Mr. President, What Would Jesus Do?

Not once has this President claimed to be on the same level as Jesus. He has merely acknowledged the power of God and his need for His guidence. If I am not mistaken, this is called humility. I believe that Jesus said judge not, John. Perhaps it would be prudent to wonder what it would be like to walk in this President's shoes. Its not difficult to see where your politics are. I bet you never made such a challange to Bill or Hillary Clinton. While we are judging the President, perhaps it would be proper to remove the beam from our own eye.

JOHN F. COZY SR

Mr. President, What Would Jesus Do?

Dear Mr. Whitehead,

I have always admired your work and writing, unfortunately, I'm starting to lose interest in what you have to say these days. You have always been very good at sticking to the truth, no matter what the subject was, and your personal politics have usually kept out of your commentary. However, something very significant has been changing with you.

Maybe I'm just another "Right Winger" who has been blinded by Conservative politics, but I like to at least think I'm somewhat objective regarding politics, moral issues, and Christianity in general. In fact, it's individuals like yourself who have helped me understand that there is a significant difference between politics, specifically conservatism, and true Christianity. Your mentor, Francis Schaeffer was also quite influential in doing this.

Politically, I'm a conservative. I voted for President Bush twice. Do my politics come before my personal faith? God help me if they do. Do I believe President Bush is some sort of savior for our country? Hardly. And Finally, am I absolutely convinced that President Bush is a man after God's own heart? Nope. My point is this; He's a guy from Texas, not a savior, but certainly not the Anti-Christ either! He holds certain political beliefs, obviously not your own, but he's also stated he's a follower of Christ, thus making him your brother.

My hope is that I never pretend to see inside the President's heart, or any man's heart for that matter. You have never said that you do either, but your commentary(s) on the President make it very clear that you believe he is no better than Hitler himself. You, like so many on the left, are consumed by this sickness. You make arguments that this administration is the beginning of Fascism in America. Quite simply, if you compare this administration to Nazi Germany you are delusional. In fact, this is exactly why the left in this country needs to do a serious analysis of what it's become. Would you compare Jimmy Carter's administration with Joseph Stalin's? Of course not, because although Jimmy Carter's policies were socialistic in nature they never became the policies of the Soviet Union! Thus, this is my last point; Because your own personal politics have been consuming your arguments you have now started throwing scripture around to suit your own political ideals. This, in my opinion, is very dangerous for a Christian to be doing.

Am I asking you to stop picking on poor President Bush? Absolutely not. I would encourage you to keep going after him on the issues that are important to you, but I would admonish you to keep your politics in check. I believe a number of political conservatives enjoy reading your material, because in many ways, you give us "balance". However, if you're not careful, your readership may only consist of left-wing conspiracy theorists that you seem to be preaching to.

I look forward to reading more of yours in the future.

Sincerely,

Paul S.
Minneapolis, MN

Monday, February 14, 2005

My thoughts....

I stumbled across your web-site while exploring topics mentioned in an internet posting of the issues with the Staunton, VA school system taking elementary school kids out of class to attend religious instruction.

I also came across some email responses on the topic of teaching creationism as science, so I thought I'd chime in with my thoughts....

First... I'd like to say that I participate in no organized religion, but I will match my 'family values' and personal integrity and morality with anybody in your organization. I believe that the relationship with a supreme being is an intensely personal relationship and I resent that any person or organization, no matter how well-meaning, has decided to intrude into this personal relationship by promoting religious instruction outside of your house of worship. This would include religious instruction of any kind, that is supported or endorsed in any way, by the public school system.

If the parents of those students who think that religious instruction is important for their children, would like to arrange for their children to attend religious instruction every day outside of school hours, then that is certainly OK with me. That's what my parents did. However, organizations like yours, seem to feel that you have to fight for such instruction, when in fact, what is being done, will almost certainly be challenged legally AGAIN, and unless I misunderstand what is being done, those who seek to challenge the law will AGAIN be told that 'separation of church and state' is the law of the land, and you guys will almost certainly lose the legal challenge AGAIN, because what is being done is simply, intolerant of other people's views, when they differ from yours.

If you want your children to receive religious instruction, then arrange for them to receive religious instruction on your own time, and in your own way, but leave other children, not related to you in any way, whose parent's might have different views on this topic, out of your view of the world, as it's just as wrong for you guys to impose your view of the world on others, as it is for you to feel that others are imposing their views on you. Nobody is telling you that you can't believe as you want... they are saying that to associate religious instruction with eductation is not only inappropriate, but illegal. Why is that so hard for you guys to understand????

Your view of the world, no matter how well-meaning, is not shared by everyone, and to continue to attempt to force your view of the world on others, in spite of many, many legal defeats, is extremely irritating to those of us who believe that the practice of religion is a personal choice.

The fact that this practice has continued to occur in Staunton, VA, indicates to me, that those who share your view, don't seem to think that the law means anything, or otherwise, the practice wouldn't continue to occur. It feels to me like they felt they could cruise along 'under the radar' and nobody would notice.... I guess they were wrong....

For me, the situation is very simple... Throughout history, there has not been even one example where religion and politics has co-existed without causing the group not in power, to be penalized in some way, and the great majority of the time, penalized in a most painful way....

Why do you people think that you know more than everybody else thoughout history, and why are you not explaining why your proposed solution, would avoid the scenario that always occurs, which involves intolerance to those views that are not shared by those in political (and religious, in this case) power. I can't think of one example where there was tolerance of opposing views in a religious-based political system, and in the great majority of cases, many people died in the name of 'believe in my view of religion or I'll kill you...' WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE NOT SEEING????

There is a saying something like: 'Those who do not pay attention to history, are doomed to repeat it......'

Why do you think that parents of children who don't share your view, should be over-ridden by your so-called 'non-denominational' religious education... Where do you guys get off???? You are simply trying to brainwash children, so that they share your view of the world. I wouldn't let my children be subjected to this sort of brainwashing, and I resent that you guys keep attempting to do so, in spite of repeatedly being blocked legally. Someone has a learning disability... and it ain't me.....

With regard to the teaching of creationism in school, I don't have any idea why this is even being discussed again and again.... Believe in the concept of creationism if you want... but I thought that this was resolved some time ago... Didn't you see the movie, 'Inherit the Wind'???? Next time... pay attention.... The concept of creationism is a religious belief... Science is different... it doesn't place value on what you 'believe'... it places value on what can be 'validated' by evidence.... Let the science teachers teach science... they've gone to school... they have degrees... they know their topic.... You guys should stick to teaching your children any version of religious belief that is important to you... Let other parents teach their own kids... Stay out of their business..... Your intrusion is not welcome....

People who continue to fight this fight are at a minimum, simply 'thick-headed' and at maximum, 'mean-spirited and arrogant'. Maybe you feel that because you are so sincere in their belief, that ought to count for something.... In the practice of religion, it does... when you are teaching science... it doesn't.... Continuing this stupid attempt to re-define science and religion only makes you guys appear to be 'sincere to the point of ignoring reality...' which in my view, doesn't help your cause.. even a little bit......

I don't get angry at sincere people who want to share their view of the world with others, but I have to say... I do get angry at people who don't seem to be smart enough to understand the meaning of the word 'NO', and who keep attempting to undermine the principles on which this country was founded.... Many of the original settlers came to the US to escape religious persecution...

INVOLVING ALL STUDENTS IN YOUR DEFINITION OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, NO MATTER HOW WELL-INTENDED, IS CONSIDERED 'RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION' BY ME AND OTHERS WHO SHARE MY VIEW!!!!!!!

I WILL TEACH MY OWN CHILDREN ABOUT RELIGION... the kind that teaches tolerance of others point of view... not your kind... that wants to force your view on others.....

YOUR INTRUSION IS NOT WELCOME.... DON'T YOU GET IT????

OK... I guess I got that off my chest....

Thanks.

Rich Rable
Hudson, FL

Commentary: Mr. President, What Would Jesus Do?

Subject: Mr. President, What Would Jesus Do?

John,

I was watching TV as then Gov. Bush was asked the very same question during the debates among all of those running for the nomination in 2000. They had been asked, "What philosopher had the greatest impact on your life?" Each one had a different answer, some with lenghty follow-ups. The last to answer was Gov. Bush. And his reply . . . "Jesus Christ, because He changed my heart."

Immediatedly Gary Bauer leaned over his podium, looked at Bush, and smugly asked him the question. Gov. Bush answered him not a word. He humbly bowed his head for a moment and again stood quietly tall.

Having carefully read each and every one, and now your latest commentary, I've finally come to the conclusion that I've had enough. Therefore, with one question (after years of reading your work) I must unsubscribe.

"If you were President Bush, what would YOU do?"
Matthew 7:3-5

John Cutrell

What Would Jesus Do?

Dear Mr. Whitehead,

Thank you so much for yet another well written article in "What Would Jesus Do?" !! Your articles are always something which I consider "must read" material. Your recent "State of the Union: Fascism with a smile"...parts one, two and three were brilliantly written. Great work!

May the blessings of God be upon you and all the work you do. You are in my prayers.

Fight the fight!

Josh

Fascism with a Smile - Part II

Mr. Whitehead;

I share your concern with the apparant creeping fascism occurring in the U.S. I too believe, at least initially U.S. fascism will "...be super modern and multi-ethnic - as American as Madison Avenue, executive luncheons, credit cards, and apple pie. It will be fascism with a smile...", but I also believe once American fascism takes hold it will evolve into the same racial fascism that occurred in 1930's Germany. The fringe right will purge the more centrist fascists until we have the worse kind of fascism imaginable.

If and when we become a totalitarian fascist state you will be one of the people I hold responsible for it's occuring. Your witchhunt and take-no-prisioners distruction of President Clinton and his presidency is what paved the way for the election of the grandson of a Nazi Germany financier. Your concern now for the state of our nation is disingenuous at best.

Serafino...

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Shades of the Crusades

George W. Bush declared in the inaugural presentation his goal was to free every human being on earth.== (dead or alive; makes no difference)==. "It is the urgent requirement of our nation`s security" (note the "our" in this statement). The message, innate within the presentation, according to a White House adviser, "Don`t back down, No surrender. It was democratic evangelicalism." What`s next? Conversion to Christianity at the end of a bayonet?

Quotes taken from the article "Celebration and Dissent"--Time Mag. Jan. 31, 2005--p.39

Richard J. Abato

Monday, February 07, 2005

Darwinism etc.

Greetings!

While I support your efforts to defend the rights of Christians (and presumably others) to free speech, I cannot agree with the espousal of anti-Darwinism as a cause.

You should know that I am not a ("real") Christian, did not vote for Bush, and have no use for the non-science of "Creationism". I also have no use for the ACLU, which has gone around the bend in its anti-Christian stance.

So, to read that you are intervening in behalf of students (Tammy Kitzmiller, et al v. Dover Area School District) to allow them to learn that there are gaps in Darwin's theory of evolution seems like a real exercise in ignorance and a waste of time and money. The purpose of a school science class is to teach science (hence the name "science class"). Religion is taught in "religion class", like in a church or synagogue or madrassa. To force public schools to teach religious "equal time" subject matter is the same as forcing Sunday schools to teach Darwinism.

Get real.

Allowing the expression of religious opinion in schools is one thing. Forcing it is another.

But, that is my opinion, might not be generally accepted.

Indulis Gleske
Madbury, NH

Constitution

Greetings:

My poor understanding of the Constitution is my fault. However, what I do understand is that it is a useful guiding document only for moral, educated, and intelligent people. Well we have very few of these thus the Constitution could, unfortunately, be considered an historical document, interesting but no longer applicable.

Our elected leadership is a best second rate, this speaks very poorly of us. Those who accept appointed office may be suspect as well. Our political environment is poison to competent people. We may have Iraqi's coming here to tell us about freedom, the cost of freedom, and the requirements of freedom, maybe even the benefits of freedom!

An ignorant and chaotic society cannot govern itself! It may have to governed with a whip! How sad, no beacon on the hill or alabaster cities.

john a camp

constructive disagreement and disillusionment with The Rutherford Institute

Subject: The Gospel of Darwin: Its Sordid History

Mr. Whitehead,

I am 70 years old and have been a Republican candidate several times, almost winning several races. Because I would not compromise and take donations from other attorneys to run for Judge possibly my races were financially unable to quite get into the winning column. I have attended church since I was born, and been active for years and still am.

This is mentioned to let you know that I am solidly a conservative Republican. Likewise, I have responded to questionnaires which you have sent out and read your emails regularly (in fact I have them all stored for the past several years).

Not too long back, I saw you on I believe the Bill O'Reilly Show and was impressed with your comments and work

This gets us to your email of February 1, 2005. How can you distort Darwinism so much. Science is not a religion or a faith or in competition with our Saviour Jesus Christ or God. Why is that some Christians want to create yet another schism and pit Christians against Christians?

God created the heavens and the Earth, as the Bible says. But the Bible doesn't say when and how long it took him, except in the language of parable, which Jesus Christ often used, to get across a point. No one in their right mind today, believes that the Earth is flat. Yet people were killed, by purported Christian leaders, for the heresy of saying it was round. Science proved the flat-earth theory was WRONG. Some people think we never went to the Moon or that the death of millions of Jews, homosexuals, gypsys, Poles, and many others, by the Nazis was made up.

There are always people who want to argue with things which are established beyond all reasonable doubt, and thereby create unneeded dissention.

You may need to believe that humans were created by the wave of a magic wand, in order to consider yourself a Christian. I don't. I believe in a BIG GOD to whom billions of years and distances which are inconceivable and powers which we cannot began to comprehend, are solely within His knowledge at present and humans may never understand anything but a small portion of the mysteries of the Universe, the Creation, and many other things known only to God.

Religion should be free to be taught without interference by Government. Free and voluntary religion on campuses should be as tolerated as the weird groups which are tolerated. However, neither religion nor weird groups and teachings should become government instilled.

Science teachers do not teach Darwin as a religion. Religion and Faith do not require proof. Science does.

Theory in science does not mean a wild guess. It means the thing which at present, has the best evidence supporting it, but can be found wrong tomorrow or a hundred thousand years from now, if a better explaination is tested and found to overturn the old theory.

You cannot equate Science and Religion. They are not opposite ends of the pole, as you are trying to make them. Darwin had errors in his works, but his general premises (which he didn't originate from scratch, but was based for a good part on the earlier works of others, as most great thinkers have done).

Humans did not come from apes as my "sudden creationist" friends try to preach that evolutionists believe. God took 4.6 billion years (by current theory) to reach the present humans on this Earth. Did God create humans in his own image. I believe he did. How did he do this, in my opinion. I believe that God created the Heavens (i.e. the entire Universe and maybe beyond) which included the Earth--just as my Bible says. Geology, evolution and other scientific disciplines, from all that I have read, followed pretty much the Genesis account of the creation. The conflict seems to be that folks of your ilk (and that is not a bad word as you may know, but means of your persuasion) want a little God, who started humankind only 5,000 or 6,000 years ago.

The same council and religious leaders who came up with this concept a few hundred years ago, also decided how many angels could dance on the head of a pin. What great use of religious thought.

For 15 years, I have not only been an active Christian, attorney/mediator and former Judge and Bar Officer, I have also been the curator of a small museum of natural science. One of the main purposes of creating this museum was to study the conflicts you claim, between "science" and "religion". I have conducted many field trips, dug dinosaur remains with probably the leading paleontologist in America today (whom it is my opinion from spending a week digging with this person, that this Paleontologist is s strong believer in God and Christ), written award winning articles on paleontology, law and other subjects.

One article I wrote won 3rd place nationally, on the subject of telling the age of things. I'm sure you have some knowledge of that and probably disavow it (see my comments about disavowals of things in the past above).

I am distressed that with virtually the entire science community which supports the theory of evolution, and the several hundred years of various proofs, that many of my religious friends, want to create dissention between Christians by insisting on teaching a religious belief, which is contrary to proof, by governmental fiat, in our schools. Government would not allow science to be taught as a religious belief, yet you want to teach a religious belief as science.

When this World is so in need of a united Christian front, teaching the love of Jesus Christ and that love overcomes hate. In a World where some Islamic fundamentalist teach intolerance against everyone who doesn't believe as they do, and you either convert or you die, we don't need Christians who insist that they violate the separation of Church and State, by teaching a religious purported form of "science", as an excuse to teach religion which has nothing to do with science.

While I may continue to read your emails, my enthusiasm has greatly diminished. While I applauded your legal efforts in the past, I am now concerned just what it is that you are attempting to do.

You may now count me as a disillusioned former supporter.

I have two Christian web sites, neither of which raises any issue over the matter which you have raised. I don't believe that is a necessary subject to divide Christians over. They are listed below, in case you wish to view them.

Terrell William "Terry" Proctor
Houston, Texas
http://www.terrylaw.us; http://www.terryco.us; http://www.proctormuseum.us; http://www.methodistmen.us; http://www.methodistflame.us

Wednesday, February 02, 2005

Darwinism

Subject: The Gospel of Darwin: Its Sordid History

Even though I respect your view of Darwinism VS. Creation; there seems to be a misrepresenting what his theory is. I grew up in a parochial school and at one point while in college followed the path towards becoming a minister. The more I studied religion and it's origins the more I became disenfranchised with it. You inferred that Darwin was responsible for racism, subjigation of women, and political turmoil. These things are all what is taught by religious leaders. I was raised being taught that "god is White" and blacks are inferior beings. Women were made from a man's rib, and responsible for original sin. Even though Jesus preached separation of church and state, (give to Ceasar what is Ceasar's and to God what is God's) he also preached pacifism, yet, there has been millions of people throughout history slaughtered in his name. If you are indeed a Christian, how can one be against abortion and for the death penalty? If you study the origins of the Bible you will find that the old testament comprises the first five volumes of Moses in the Torah. This makes the old testament and the Ten Commandments one hundred percent Jewish philosophy. Not that I am saying that the Ten Commandments have no merit, just pointing to where it came from. Some Bible Historians have placed the writing of the Torah at about 800 BC. Most of the new testament was written up to 200 years after Jesus died. I was raised that you have to believe like a child, why is this? If it really is the "Word of God" written by man with God's guiding hand don't you think that it would stand up to intelligent scrutiny? The Bible contends that the world is only about 6500 years old. Even as a child when I would question this, due to the fact that fossils and other proofs show that the world was much older, I was told that God placed them there to throw us off. My next question was always why would he do such a thing? That was always dealt with by a trip to the principal's office for a paddling and a warning not to question "God". So in conclusion, my life experiences point to religion as being responsible for what you blame on Darwin.
Thank You for giving me the opportunity to give my thoughts on the subject.

Mark D Walleman Sr
Pulaski, Tn

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

Zeig Swhartzi!

John Whitehead:

Thanks for the great articles relative to America becoming a fascist nation.

So, when can we start discussing the Straussian Neo-cons running the show there in Washington? I have read Piekoff's book as well and can just see it now. Zieg Swhartzi ! Zieg Swhartzi!! Zieg Scwhartzi!! as Arnold Swarz...whatever his name is, after getting the required Amendment to the Constitution, walks up to the podium to accept his nomination for president to the screaming excited and mesmerized audience just like back in the Weimer Republic - revived German authoritarianianism with facist economic laws securely fastened in place, labor camps and slave wages. I can't wait.

Regards,

TR Cowan

Darwin Descending

Thank you for your article on evolution at campusreportonline.net. It should be taught in every composition course as an example of intellectually shallow and dishonest argumentation. Especially revealing is the paragraph in which you identify the political theorist and economist Karl Marx as a "soon-to-be tyrant." Evidently, you are writing for an audience that has no knowledge of history. I also enjoyed your attempt to bring in the "social Darwinism" preached by Carnegie in the "Gospel of Wealth" as ground for rejecting the theory of natural selection. Obviously, Carnegie's use of Darwinism as a metaphor to advocate free market capitalism is absolutely irrelevant to a discussion of the merits of Darwin's theory: it's like opposing the second law of thermodynamics because you don't like Thomas Pynchon's "Entropy." Evidently, you think you are writing for readers much less clever than yourself, and are using specious argumentation to take them in.

Keep up the good work.

Brian Sweeney

"The Thought Police and the American Community Survey"

Subject: The Thought Police and the American Community Survey

Dear Mr. Whitehead,

As the unhappy, not to mention entirely shocked, recipient of the "American Community Survey," I was delighted to find your article "The Thought Police and the American Community Survey" on the Web while trying to learn about this so-called census tool.

I had never heard of the ACS, and the first time it came to my house I promptly tossed it into the recycling. A few weeks later, I received another copy, politely reminding me that I was obliged to answer.

As I looked through the questions, I was absolutely appalled. What right does the government have to require me to answer these intrusive inquiries about every aspect of my, my husband's, and my children's lives?

I want to thank you for at least bringing this issue out into the open -- aside from you and Rep. Paul, I have seen no other hue and cry on the Internet or anywhere else.

Another reason I'm writing, though, is to ask: How can we combat this? Must we, indeed, answer these questions? If you received the ACS in the mail (or perhaps you have) what would you do? I haven't answered mine yet -- but quite honestly, I'm afraid not to. I feel that if I don't, the government will make trouble for me in other ways -- an IRS audit, perhaps. And while I have nothing to hide from the IRS, I certainly don't want to spend the inordinate amount of time and effort an audit would take.

I'm a professional person -- a copy editor at a major Philadelphia newspaper and the author of books for children and young adults. I'm totally agog at the way the government continues to infiltrate our lives, and at the fact that most Americans simply don't seem to care. Will the ACLU help? Will contacting our Congressmen help? Do you have any suggestions? I do plan to attempt to bring this issue to the attention of my newspaper -- but frankly, I'm not sanguine as to the interest level.

Thank you for your time, and for your article.

Pat Hughes

Darwin Descending

Subject: The Gospel of Darwin: Its Sordid History

I have two issues with regard to your article.

Firstly, you create the impression that evolutionary theory addresses the origins of life on Earth. As I'm sure you are aware, evolution does not address the transition from non-living to biological life forms, but rather their subsequent change over time. God is not excluded from evolutionary theory, as millions of Catholics and main-stream Protestants will attest. You also quote Intelligent Design advocate Phillip Johnson. Mr. Johnson not withstanding, my understanding of ID is that it simply makes the assertion that there is a "designer" necessary to explain the complexity of life; it does not make the claim that evolution is a fiction.

Secondly, evolution deals with biology. The fact that dictators, politicians, and philosophers have appropriated selected evolutionary concepts and used them to justify their personal agenda is irrelevant to whether evolution, as applied to biology, is a sound theory supported by evidence. Einstein's Theory of Relativity has been used to promote "moral relativism", yet clearly the physics of space-time have no bearing on human morality.

The vast majority of scientists working in biology and related fields agree that the Theory of Evolution best explains the physical evidence. Recent advances in genetics have provided additional confirmation of the theory. If an individual chooses to believe God initiated the process, science cannot refute or confirm it, but that belief is intrinsically a religious one based on faith, and is best taught in the home, in church, or in a class devoted to religion, not in a science class.

Thomas Gunther
Pasadena CA